Wheel for a support structure

ABSTRACT

A wheel assembly includes a first side plate having a first annular base, axially protruding first claw members projecting axially outward from the first annular base, axially protruding first hub mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base, and axially protruding first spring mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base; a hub member attached to the first side plate; and a tire assembly laid over the hub member such that spokes of the tire assembly are radially adjacent corresponding first claw members of the first side plate, a plurality of friction members and the first claw members sandwiching each of the spokes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to wheel/tire assemblies, and moreparticularly, to non-pneumatic wheel/tire assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radial pneumatic tires rely on the ply reinforcement to carry andtransfer the load between the rim and the belt layer. These ply cordsneed to be tensioned to carry the load. Tensioning of these ply cords isachieved with the pressurized air in the inner chamber of the tire. Ifair pressure is lost, load carrying capacity of a pneumatic tiredecreases significantly. Preventing the slow or sudden air pressure losshas been a challenge for the tire makers. One proposed solution is touse non-pneumatic tires. A top loader non-pneumatic tire can performsimilar to a pneumatic tire if its durability, speed rating/limit andload capacity can be increased to the levels of a pneumatic tire.

Many top loader non-pneumatic tires rely on the polymeric spokes tocarry the load of the vehicle. Spokes transfer the load from the rim tothe shear band. Due to the characteristics of the polymeric materialsused in the spokes of these tires, performance of these tires arelimited. It is an object of the present invention to overcome thislimitation and increase the load carrying capacity and durability ofthese spokes and hence the performance of the top loader non-pneumatictire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wheel assembly in accordance with the present invention includes afirst side plate having a first annular base, axially protruding firstclaw members projecting axially outward from the first annular base,axially protruding first hub mounts projecting axially outward from thefirst annular base, and axially protruding first spring mountsprojecting axially outward from the first annular base; a hub memberattached to the first side plate, the hub member including an annularcenter with a plurality of arms extending radially to a plurality ofaxially extending torque cylinders; a tire assembly laid over the hubmember such that spokes of the tire assembly are radially adjacentcorresponding first claw members of the first side plate, a plurality offriction members and the first claw members sandwiching each of thespokes as a first axial end of each friction member engages the firstspring mounts of the first side plate; a second side plate having asecond annular base, axially protruding second claw members projectingaxially outward from the second annular base, axially protruding secondhub mounts projecting axially outward from the second annular base, andaxially protruding second spring mounts projecting axially outward fromthe second annular base, the second claw members receiving correspondingpins of the first claw members of the first side plate, a second axialend of each friction member engaging the second friction mounts of thesecond side plate; and a plurality of fasteners securing the hub memberto both the first side plate and the second side plate and the tireassembly.

According to another aspect of the assembly, the plurality of fastenersextends through parts of the first side plate, the hub member, and thesecond side plate.

According to still another aspect of the assembly, the first clawmembers and second claw members are curved corresponding to a shape ofthe friction members.

According to yet another aspect of the assembly, the plurality offasteners extends through the torque cylinders of the hub member.

According to still another aspect of the assembly, the plurality offasteners extends through bore holes in the first side plate and boreholes in the second side plate.

According to yet another aspect of the assembly, the first claw membersare welding to the first side plate.

According to still another aspect of the assembly, the first hub mountsare welded to the first side plate.

According to yet another aspect of the assembly, the first frictionmounts are welded to the first side plate.

According to still another aspect of the assembly, the second hub mountsare constructed integrally with the second side plate.

According to yet another aspect of the assembly, the second claw membersare constructed integrally with the second side plate.

A method in accordance with the present invention assembles a rim and atire. The method comprises the steps of: projecting first claw membersaxially from a first annular base member; projecting first hub mountsaxially from the first annular base member; projecting first springmounts axially from the first annular base member; projecting secondclaw members axially from a second annular base member; projectingsecond hub mounts axially from the second annular base member; andprojecting second spring mounts axially from the second annular basemember.

According to another aspect of the method, further steps include:connecting a hub member to the first annular base; and extending aplurality of arms radially from a center member of the hub member.

According to still another aspect of the method, further steps include:extending a plurality of torque cylinders axially from each of theplurality of arms; and connecting first ends of the torque cylinders ofthe hub member to the first hub mounts of the first annular base.

According to yet another aspect of the method, further steps include:laying a tire over the hub member such that spokes of the tire areradially adjacent corresponding first claw members of the first annularbase; and sandwiching the spokes of the tire assembly radially betweenthe first claw members and corresponding friction members.

According to still another aspect of the method, further steps include:connecting the first claw members of the first annular base to secondclaw members of a second annular base; and connecting second hub mountsof the second annular base to second opposite ends of the torquecylinders of the hub member.

According to yet another aspect of the method, a further step includesconnecting friction members to the second friction mounts of the secondannular base.

According to still another aspect of the method, further steps includeinserting a plurality of fasteners through first bore holes of the firstannular base, bore holes of the hub member, and second bore holes of thesecond annular base; and securing corresponding nuts to the fastenersproximate the second annular base.

According to yet another aspect of the method, a further step includeswelding the first claw members to the first annular base.

According to still another aspect of the method, a further step includeswelding the first hub mounts to the first annular base.

According to yet another aspect of the method, a further step includesconstructing the second annular base, the second claw members, and thesecond hub mounts as a single integral piece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more clearly understood by the followingdescription of some examples thereof, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of an example wheelassembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another schematic perspective view of the part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the part of FIG. 1 and anotherpart of the example wheel assembly;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the parts of FIG. 3 andanother part of the example wheel assembly;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of one of the parts of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the parts of FIG. 4 and a partof an example tire assembly;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the parts of FIG. 5 andanother part of the example wheel assembly;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the parts of FIG. 7 andanother part of the example wheel assembly;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the parts of FIG. 8 andanother part of the example wheel assembly;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the parts of FIG. 9 andanother part of the example wheel assembly;

FIG. 11 is another schematic perspective view of the parts of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic elevation view of an example tire for use withthe example assembly of FIGS. 1-11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic flow chart of a method in accordance with thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A conventional tire assembly, such as that described in US 2004/0069385and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/615,888, incorporated herein byreference in their entirety, and may have an outer ring, such as a shearband, flexibly connected to a central hub by means of lightweightcomposite springs. The springs may be plates fixed to the ring and tothe hub. The hub may contain a speed reduction gear unit and/or anelectric motor and may have a suspension mechanism for connecting avehicle chassis to each wheel. The ring may be constructed from aflexible composite material, such as carbon fiber reinforced nylonmaterial and have twin rubber tires and a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced-apart radial cleats which engage the ground and provide improvedtraction. The hub may also be formed from a carbon fiber reinforcedcomposite material. Another conventional wheel may have a rubber stripwith a molded tread bonded to a composite ring for improved grip.Further, the springs interconnecting the ring and hub may be S-shapedlightweight composite springs.

Another conventional tire assembly may be formed from a lightweightcomposite material, such as carbon fiber reinforced polyamide. Theassembly may have a cylindrical central hub and a circular outerflexible rim mounted on the central hub by an endless looped spring bandextending between the central hub and the circular rim. Six radial loopsmay be defined by the spring band. The spring band may be attached tothe central hub and to the circular rim by any suitable means, such asadhesion, cohesion, soldering and/or mechanical fixing by means ofbolts, rivets, and/or clamps.

As shown in FIG. 12, an example tire assembly 300 for use with a rim inaccordance with the present invention may have a spoke structure 310defining a plurality of alternating closed egg-shaped cavities 311 andopen rectangular inlet openings 312 disposed concentrically about theinner central rim allowing the spoke structure to deflect under loadthereby defining a suitable balance between flexibility for ride comfortand traction within a footprint of the assembly 300 and stiffness forvehicle handling, low rolling resistance, and low heat build-up withinthe spoke structure. The spoke structure 310 may further define aplurality of triangular openings 345 disposed at the outer flexible ringand between the cavities 311 and the inlet openings 312 (FIG. 12).

The cavities 311 of the spoke structure 310 may further define openingsfor arms of an inner central rim to extend therethrough and secure thespoke structure to the inner central rim, as described above. The armsmay engage portions of the spoke structure 310 in a mechanicalinterlocking arrangement. The inner central rim may further includeplates that, along with the arms may sandwich portions of the spokestructure 310 and create a further frictional and/or adhesive securementbetween the inner central rim and the spoke structure. The spokestructure 310 may comprise a homogenous or heterogeneous polymer and/ora filled polymer.

Spokes 315 of the spoke structure 310 may be curved inwardly oroutwardly for mitigating or enhancing buckling of the spokes. The spokes315 may include one or more reinforcing layers 319. The layer(s) 319 maybe constructed of single end dipped cords, conventional pneumatic tireply/cord arrangements, short fibers, and/or polymeric film. Further,these constructions may be PET, nylon 6, nylon 6,6, rayon, steel, glassfibers, carbon fiber, aramid, and/or a hybrid construction of thesematerials. The cords may be between 400 denier to 9000 denier. Thepolymeric film may be from 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm thick. The reinforcement inthe spokes 315 may be oriented at angle between 0 degrees and 90degrees. The spokes 315 may be continuously reinforced across theirentire axial length. Continuous reinforcement layer(s) 319 may extendradially outward to multiple locations adjacent to a shear band 343 atthe outer flexible ring. Other reinforcement layers 319 may extend aboutthe interior of the closed cavities 311. The continuous reinforcementlayer(s) 319 may be integrated into the spoke structure 310 and theouter flexible ring. Alternatively, the shear band 343 may be attachedto the spoke structure 310 by between 20 and 60 connection points (e.g.,cohesion, adhesive, fused, welded, etc.).

Each cavity 311 and inlet opening 312 may have a common cross sectionalprofile about the axis of rotation of the assembly. Further, each cavity311 and inlet opening 312 may have a common axial length equal to auniform axial thickness of the spoke structure 310. Each cavity 311 maybe curvedly shaped to prevent “pinch” points on the reinforcementlayer(s) 319 and mitigate compressive stress concentrations on thereinforcement layer(s). The number of cavities 311 may be between 15 and60 for large scale assemblies.

As shown in FIGS. 1-11, a rim assembly 200 in accordance with thepresent invention may include a first side plate 210 having a firstannular base 211, axially protruding first claw members 212 (10 shown inFIGS. 1-3) projecting axially outward from the first base, axiallyprotruding first hub mounts 214 (10 partially shown in FIGS. 1-3)projecting axially outward from the first base, and axially protrudingfirst spring mounts 216 (20 partially shown in FIGS. 1-3) projectingaxially outward from the first base. The first claw members 212 may haveaxially extending pins 213 for engaging another part of the rim assembly200. The first hub mounts 214 may include first bore holes 215 extendingaxially through both the first hub mounts and the first annular base 211for engaging another part of the rim assembly 200. The first side plate210 and its parts 211, 212, 213, 214, 216 may be constructed as asingle, monolithic and integral piece or assembled, such as by welding,and/or in any combination thereof.

The rim assembly 200 may further include a hub member 230 attached tothe side plate 210. The hub member 230 may include an annular center 232with a plurality of arms 234 extending radially to a plurality ofaxially extending torque cylinders 236 (10 shown in FIGS. 4-5). Theannular center 232 may include bore holes 233 for rotational attachmentto a vehicle (10 shown in FIG. 5). Each torque cylinder 236 may have afirst cylindrical end 237 and a second opposite cylindrical end 238 andaxially extending torque holes 239 interconnecting the first and secondends. The 10 first cylindrical ends 237 may attach to the corresponding10 first hub mounts 214 of the first side plate 210 (FIG. 4). The hubmember 230 and its parts 232, 234, 236 may be constructed as a single,monolithic piece or assembled, such as by welding. As shown in FIG. 5,the arms 234 and the torque cylinders 236 may be attached to the annularcenter 232 at a location axially nearer the first cylindrical ends 237than the second cylindrical ends 238.

A tire assembly, similar to the tire assembly 300 described above, maybe laid over the side plate/hub member assembly 210, 230 with an equalnumber of curved spokes 315 of the tire assembly 300 being radiallyadjacent the correspondingly curved first claw members 212 of the firstside plate 210 (10 shown in FIG. 6). The flexible spokes 315 may bedeflected/stretched as necessary such that each of the spokes 315 of thetire assembly 300 are disposed radially inside the claw members 212(FIG. 6). A plurality of correspondingly curved friction members 240,with the first claw members 212, may then partially sandwich each of thespokes 315 as a first end 242 of each friction member engages the firstspring mounts 216 of the first side plate 210 (FIG. 7).

The rim assembly 200 may further include a second side plate 220 havinga second annular base, axially protruding first claw members 222 (10partially shown in FIG. 8) projecting axially outward from the secondbase, axially protruding second hub mounts (10 partially shown in FIG.8) projecting axially outward from the second base, and axiallyprotruding second spring mounts projecting axially outward from thesecond base. The second claw members 222 may have bore holes forreceiving the corresponding pins 213 of the claw members 212 of thefirst side plate 210. The second hub mounts of the second side plate 220may correspondingly align with the second cylindrical ends 238 of thetorque cylinders 236 of the hub member 230. The second side plate 220may be identical to the first side plate 210 except for lacking the pins213. The second side plate 220 and its parts 222 may be constructed as asingle, monolithic and integral piece or assembled, such as by welding,and/or in any combination thereof.

The second side plate 220 may be laid over the side plate/hubmember/tire assembly 210, 230, 300. The second claw members 222 may bealigned with the first claw members 212 of the first side plate 210 andinterconnected by the pins 213 of the first claw members. A second end244 of each curved friction member 240 may also be aligned to engage thesecond friction mounts of the second side plate 220. Again, the flexiblespokes 315 may be deflected/stretched as necessary such that each of thespokes 315 of the tire assembly 300 are disposed radially inside thefirst claw members 212 and the second claw members 222 (FIGS. 8-9).

A plurality of bolts 270, or other suitable fasteners, may be insertedthrough may be inserted through the first bore holes 215 of the firstside plate 210, the bore holes 239 of the hub member 230, and secondbore holes of the second side plate 220 (FIG. 11). Corresponding nuts280, or other suitable fasteners, may be secured to the bolts 270 at thesecond side plate 220 (FIG. 10). The entire rim assembly 200 is nowsecured to the tire assembly 300 and may be attached to a vehicle at thebore holes 233 of the hub member 230.

As shown in FIG. 13, a method 1000 for assembling a rim and a tire, suchas the rim and tire assemblies 200, 300, in accordance with the presentinvention, may include the steps of: projecting 1110 first claw membersaxially from a first annular base member; projecting 1120 first hubmounts axially from the first annular base member; projecting 1130 firstspring mounts axially from the first annular base member; projecting1210 second claw members axially from a second annular base member;projecting 1220 second hub mounts axially from the second annular basemember; and projecting 1230 second spring mounts axially from the secondannular base member;

The method 1000 may further include the steps of: connecting 1310 a hubmember to the first annular base; extending 1320 a plurality of armsradially from a center member of the hub member; extending 1330 aplurality of torque cylinders axially from each of the plurality ofarms; connecting 1340 first ends of the torque cylinders of the hubmember to the first hub mounts of the first annular base; laying 1350 atire over the hub member such that spokes of the tire are radiallyadjacent corresponding first claw members of the first annular base;sandwiching 1360 the spokes of the tire assembly radially between thefirst claw members, the second claw members, and corresponding frictionmembers; connecting 1370 first claw members of the first annular base tothe second claw members of the second annular base; connecting 1380 thesecond hub mounts of the second annular base to second opposite ends ofthe torque cylinders of the hub member; and connecting 1390 the frictionmembers to the second friction mounts of the second annular base.

The method 1000 may further include the steps of: inserting 1410 aplurality of bolts, or other suitable fasteners, through first boreholes of the first annular base, bore holes of the hub member, andsecond bore holes of the second annular base; securing 1420corresponding nuts, or other suitable fasteners, the bolts proximate thesecond annular base; and securing 1430 the entire rim assembly and thetire assembly to a vehicle at bore holes of the center member of the hubmember.

Variations in the present invention are possible in light of thedescription of it provided herein. While certain representative examplesand details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subjectinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that variouschanges and modifications can be made therein without departing from thescope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood thatchanges can be made in the particular examples described which will bewithin the full scope of the present invention as defined by thefollowing appended claims. Further, the present invention is not limitedto the examples hereinbefore described which may be varied in bothconstruction and detail within the full scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for assembling a rim and a tire, the methodcomprising the steps of: using a rim assembly that includes first clawmembers projecting axially from a first annular base member; first hubmounts projecting axially from the first annular base member; firstspring mounts projecting axially from the first annular base member;second claw members projecting axially from a second annular basemember; second hub mounts projecting axially from the second annularbase member; and second spring mounts projecting axially from the secondannular base member; to assemble the rim to the tire.
 2. The method asset forth in claim 1 further including the steps of: connecting a hubmember to the first annular base; and extending a plurality of armsradially from a center member of the hub member.
 3. The method as setforth in claim 1 further including the steps of: extending a pluralityof torque cylinders axially from each of the plurality of arms; andconnecting first ends of the torque cylinders of the hub member to thefirst hub mounts of the first annular base.
 4. The method as set forthin claim 1 further including the steps of: laying a tire over the hubmember such that spokes of the tire are radially adjacent correspondingfirst claw members of the first annular base; and sandwiching the spokesof the tire assembly radially between the first claw members andcorresponding friction members.
 5. The method as set forth in claim 1further including the steps of: connecting the first claw members of thefirst annular base to second claw members of a second annular base; andconnecting second hub mounts of the second annular base to secondopposite ends of the torque cylinders of the hub member.
 6. The methodas set forth in claim 1 further including the step of connectingfriction members to the second friction mounts of the second annularbase.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 1 further including the stepsof: inserting a plurality of fasteners through first bore holes of thefirst annular base, bore holes of the hub member, and second bore holesof the second annular base; and securing corresponding nuts to thefasteners proximate the second annular base.
 8. The method as set forthin claim 1 further including the step of welding the first claw membersto the first annular base.
 9. The method as set forth in claim 1 furtherincluding the step of welding the first hub mounts to the first annularbase.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 1 further including the stepof constructing the second annular base, the second claw members, andthe second hub mounts as a single integral piece.